WATCH: High school cancer survivor kicks off Carolina Hurricanes’ Hockey Fights Cancer Night

Sunday night was Hockey Fights Cancer night at the game between the Carolina Hurricanes and the New Jersey Devils, and prior to the game, the Canes held a ceremonial puck drop with a high school senior who was diagnosed with cancer last year and had his left leg amputated below the knee.

Jake Warner, a student at Cardinal Gibbons High School just across the street from PNC Arena, was the guest of honor to drop the puck between Devils captain Andy Greene and Hurricanes alternate captain Jordan Staal. Jake, who played youth hockey in the Triangle before his diagnosis, had his leg amputated last November, and was able to return to school in January.

Jake hasn’t allowed his diagnosis stop him from participating in the sport: after being fitted with a prosthetic leg, he started skating again, and is now a member of a sled hockey team through the Triangle Special Hockey Association.